Administrative Support and School Operations in Public Elementary Schools: The Role of Non-Teaching Personnel at Liwon Elementary School

Abstract

Administrative support systems play a critical role in ensuring the effective operation of public elementary schools, yet the contributions and challenges of non-teaching personnel remain underexplored in Philippine educational research. This qualitative study examined the role of non-teaching personnel and the nature of administrative support systems at Liwon Elementary School, a public elementary school in the Philippines. Guided by systems theory and organizational role theory, the study employed a case study design using semi-structured interviews with non-teaching personnel and teachers, supplemented by document analysis and administrative observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings revealed four major themes. First, non-teaching personnel functioned as operational anchors who sustained daily school operations by ensuring continuity in documentation, reporting, and coordination. Second, they served as mediators between instructional and administrative work, helping teachers manage compliance requirements and reduce clerical burden. Third, participants experienced role overload and blurred task boundaries due to unclear role definitions and frequent ad hoc assignments. Fourth, administrative systems were found to depend heavily on individual experience and institutional memory rather than formalized procedures, exposing the school to operational vulnerabilities. The study concludes that while non-teaching personnel are indispensable to school functionality, existing administrative support systems rely excessively on individual effort rather than institutionalized processes. Strengthening role clarity, standardizing administrative workflows, and providing adequate staffing support are necessary to ensure sustainable school operations and protect instructional time. These findings have important implications for school leadership, policy implementation, and ongoing reforms aimed at reducing administrative workload in Philippine public schools.